Board Minutes Westover, Maryland June 19, 2007 Page 1

Transcription

1 Board Minutes Westover, Maryland June 19, 2007 Page 1 The Somerset County Board of Education met at the J. M. Tawes Technology & Career Center, Tuesday June 19, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. to review the SIS Tawes Construction Project. Upon completion of the SIS Tawes Construction Update the Board met in a closed session meeting at 6:30. The regular Board meeting began at 7:00 p.m. Present were Chairman Scott, Vice Chairman Miles, Mr. Paul, Mr. Willing, Mr. Pruitt, Superintendent Karen-Lee Brofee, and Melissa Tilghman, recording secretary. Britany Dennis and James Daniels were not present. By unanimous agreement, the Somerset County Board of Education met in a closed session at the J.M. Tawes Technology & Career Center, Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss personnel and legal matters as permitted by the Maryland Open Meetings Act, S10-508(a)(9) of the State Government Article. Present were Chairman Scott, Vice Chairman Miles, Mr. Paul, Mr. Willing, Mr. Pruitt, Superintendent Karen-Lee Brofee, and Melissa Tilghman, recording secretary. OPEN WORK SESSION The Somerset County Board of Education met in an open work session at 6:00 p.m. Present were Chairman Scott, Vice Chairman Miles, Mr. Paul, Mr. Willing, Mr. Pruitt, Dr. Brofee and recording secretary Melissa Tilghman. Mr. Daugherty and Mr. Catanzaro were also present at the meeting. An update on the Fire Marshall s inspection concluded that adjustments need to be made in order for inspection to pass. Additional funds need to be added to budget in order to add piling pallets not included in bid #3A-16. Frame doors will be added along with a smoked partition in the corridor to segregate part of the building in case there is a fire. Mr. Catanzaro invited the Board as a group to have a walk-through of the building. It was agreed that the walk-through will take place on June 20, 2007 at 8:00 a.m. Mr. Catanzaro informed the Board that the working relationship with the contractors was going well. Mr. Paul stated that schools are not sending athletic equipment requests to the Board for approval or processing. Dr. Brofee distributed a school inspection report to the Board members for Deal Island School. 1. Call to Order REGULAR SESSION AGENDA The meeting was called to order by Chairman Scott at 7:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call The roll was called by Melissa Tilghman indicating that all five Board members and the Superintendent were present. Student Board Members James Daniels and Brittany Dennis were not present. Gifts of appreciation for their service were given to Board members to take to their homes.

2 3. Declaration of Quorum Chairman Scott declared a quorum to be present. 4. Pledge of Allegiance Chairman Scott led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance. 5. Approval of Minutes A motion was called for by Chairman Scott, moved by Mr. Willing and seconded by Vice Chairman Miles to approve the minutes of May 15, The vote was unanimous. 6. Adoption of Agenda Dr. Brofee asked to make two additions to the agenda. They were the request for additional athletic equipment for CHS and permission to advertise for new bus route #75. A motion was called for by Chairman Scott, moved by Mr. Willing and seconded by Vice Chairman Miles to adopt the amended agenda. The vote was unanimous with all Board members in agreement. 7. Public Participation Pat Carson spoke to the Board on her perspective of the ineffectiveness of the Attendance and Grading Policies. She voiced her concern that students were missing more days because they are allowed to make up the days and they are allowed to make up the work. Ms. Carson believes that the policies are not being followed and students are not being held accountable or experiencing negative consequences. Mr. Paul stated that the policy has been revised over seven times and that something needs to be done. Christy Taylor, on behalf of the Parent Advisory Committee spoke to the Board with student transportation concerns. Students are being dropped off at their schools before teachers are required to be there. Students are being left by their bus and remain at school from 2:30 3:00 p.m. The PAC group also provided the Board with a proposal requesting changes to the Athletic Program. 8. Student Board Members Report and Recognition of Service James Daniels and Brittany Dennis were not present to provide a report at the Board meeting. 9. United Way Mr. Bloodsworth introduced United Way representative, Chris Reed. Plaques were distributed to each participating school and reported that we exceeded our set goal and raised $6, Public Relations Report Vicki Nelson presented a highlighting public relations report. She reported on selected activities and happenings in the schools. Princess Anne Elementary and Somerset Intermediate Schools were given the BEST FOOT FORWARD awards and the community luncheon held at Tawes was a success. 2

3 11. Voyager Afterschool Program Sharon Daniels reported that the Voyager Afterschool Program was a success. This program offers afterschool tutoring, study hall, and enrichment activities for over 218 students for 2 ½ hours a day. The onsite groups are Princess Anne and Greenwood Elementary Schools. 12. Elementary Summer Reading Program Lisa Forbush presented a program outline of the Summer Reading Program showing that the Summer Reading Program is for K-2 students and is being held Mon. Fri. from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. There are a total of a 100+ students who have enrolled in the program so far. 13. Woodson Elementary School Report Ms. Dean reported that it has been an emotional year for the students at Woodson. There have been several mishaps, tragedies and major changes during the year. PBIS incentives have been offered to encourage students to do their best. Woodson also held a pajama day. The 1 st graders raised the most money and as a reward they were allowed to throw soaked sponges and cake on Ms. Dean. Over 4,000 community service hours were accumulated. Ms. Dean was thanked by Chairman Scott. 14. Somerset County Course Addition A motion was called for by Chairman Scott, moved by Mr. Pruitt and seconded by Vice Chairman Miles to approve Ms. Josenhans s request to add an ensemble course to the curriculum. A new teacher will be hired to teach this course. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Paul questioned the courses ability to weave into the Gifted and Talented Program. 15. Old Business A. Facilities and Transportation 16. New Business 1. Change Order Request A motion was called for by Chairman Scott, moved by Mr. Willing and seconded by Mr. Pruitt to approve change order requests for 6A.04, the adding of smoked partitions and 3A.16, the adding of additional foot pilings to the Somerset Intermediate School. The vote was unanimous. A. Facilities and Transportation 1. Marion Sarah Peyton Facilities Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, Mr. Pruitt moved and Mr. Willing seconded to approve Dr. Brofee s request to continue research on moving Conal Turner s Adult Education Program, Rodger Daugherty s Department, and Jim Webster s Alternative School to the Marion Sarah Peyton Facilities. The vote was unanimous. 3

4 This change is needed as the Adult Education Programs have expanded and more space is needed. Mr. Turner feels this will be a more central location for the Adult Education clients. Much needed space has also called for the move of Mr. Webster s ALC and Why Try Programs. The business classes at the two high schools will move to Tawes as they are CTE courses. Mr. Bloodsworth explained that Technology is outweighing business classes and Insurance, Investment, and Marketing subjects are not being taught to students. Mr. Daugherty explained that the Voyager Program will be moving to MSP which will cause for the restoration of computers, wiring, telephones and security systems. Mr. Paul questioned the savings of utilizing MSP. Dr. Brofee explained that the building is not being opened as a school and that parents requested the move of the ALC program from the CTE Programs. The amount of space at the school will allow for a permanent ALC program. Also with the building being used it should reduce the vandalism of the facility. 2. Approval of Substitute Bus Driver Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, Mr. Willing moved and Vice Chairman Miles seconded to approve Mr. Daugherty s request to train Arthur Sparkman as a new substitute bus driver. The vote was unanimous. 3. ESMEC Energy Consortium Cost Avoidance Report Mr. Daugherty presented a breakdown of savings by using the ESMEC Energy Consortium compared to getting bids. Mr. Paul questioned the status of the solar energy feasibility study. Mr. Daugherty informed the Board that the individuals are doing more research and will provide a report when research is complete. 4. Approval of the Education Facilities Master Plan Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, Mr. Paul moved and Mr. Pruitt seconded, to approve the Educational Facilities Master Plan. The vote was unanimous with all Board members in agreement. 5. Request for additional CHS Athletic Equipment A motion was called for by Chairman Scott moved by Vice Chairman Miles and seconded by Mr. Willing to approve Mr. Daugherty s request to purchase additional equipment for Crisfield High School. The vote was unanimous. 6. Permission to Advertise New Bus Routes Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, Mr. Willing moved and Mr. Paul seconded to approve Mr. Daugherty s request to advertise the new bus route #70. The vote was unanimous. A motion was called for by Chairman Scott, moved by Mr. Willing and seconded by Vice Chairman Miles to have open advertisement for the new route #75. A van will also be purchased to use for truancy and small sports trips. This route will be a five year commitment. The vote was unanimous. 4

5 B. Policies 1. Upon recommendation of the Superintendent the Board will review and study revised Policy # (Administrative Procedures, Board of Education Meetings) for approval at the next Board meeting. 2. The Superintendent provided the Board with clarification to the revised SRO Policy # Mr. Paul stated that he would like the revised and clarified policy be distributed to all principals. 3. A motion was called for by Chairman Scott, moved by Mr. Pruitt and seconded by Mr. Paul to approve the Board Meeting Calendar. The vote was unanimous with all Board members in agreement. C. Human Resources Report 1. New Hires, Retirees, and Resignations A motion was called for by Chairman Scott, moved by Mr. Paul and seconded by Mr. Pruitt to approve Mr. Lawson s Human Resources Report as presented. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Paul stated It is refreshing to see former students return to the system. 2. Out of State Travel Mr. Lawson provided an informational summary of SCPS staff traveling out of state to conferences and was thanked by Chairman Scott. 3. Technology Certification Program Mrs. Smoker provided the Board with data related to Technology Certification. A list of the committee was presented who helped developed the Tech Ed. Assessment. Mrs. Smoker s hopes are that the statistics will be better next year. Twelve Tech Ed. Integration courses will be offered June 25, 2007 to June 29, D. Finance Report 1. Category Transfers A motion was called for by Chairman Scott, moved by Mr. Paul and seconded by Mr. Willing to approve category transfer request presented by Mrs. Miller. A telephone poll will be taken if needed for July for any amendments. The vote was unanimous. 2. Monthly Finance Report Mrs. Miller presented the Board with the Monthly Finance Report. Mr. Paul thanked Mrs. Miller for the additional informational column on the budget sheet. 5

6 3. Monthly Food Report Mrs. Miller presented the Monthly Food Service report and the budget should have a net profit at the end of the year. 17. Superintendent & Board Member Comments The Superintendent thanked Pat Carson for approaching the Board with her concerns. She also mentioned the extensive out of state travel supported by grants and staff eager to learn and expand their expertise. Mrs. Forbush was thanked for her efforts with new summer programs and her report. The Board was informed that there will be a staff appreciation program held June 13, There will also be awards distributed to those individuals who went above and beyond their normal call of duty. 18. August 2007 It was moved by Mr. Paul, seconded by Mr. Willing, and passed to approve the August 14, 2007 as the next open regular session instead of July 17, Closed session will begin at 6:00 p.m. and the open regular session will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the J.M. Tawes Technology & Career Center. The vote was unanimous. 19. The Board meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Karen-Lee N. Brofee, Superintendent Recorded and Prepared by Melissa Tilghman/Secretary 6